Before Me, Him

Chapter 54

     The sun was shining from time to time when it managed to leave the obstructive clouds that were blocking its path. Finally, the rain had stopped but the humidity in the air had remained. 

     Currently, we are both on our way to Hollum, Jacob is driving his car while I am in the passenger's seat sitting beside him. The windows are open making the wind blow my hair as the car got faster. I didn't know he had a license but, at the same time, I wasn't shocked when I learned about it. We spent the whole journey silent, Jacob focused on the road while I was paying attention to the landscapes around us. It was around five in the afternoon when we arrived at my university campus.

     - Do you want me to go with you? – he questions me as he finished parking the car in the underground park.

     - Yes but before we go there's something that I need to tell you. – I say looking at him.

     I started explaining what had happened yesterday with Rodrick Evans, Kyle Evan's younger brother. Jacob just listened to me as he nodded his head from time to time so I would know he was listening to me.

     - I see. – he states as we open both the car doors and leave. –I will be with you so it should be fine.

     Instantly, I nod my head as we start heading towards the campus entrance. The secretary area was on the entrance floor so we didn't need to climb any stairs or even use any elevators. "I hope this will be fast" I would pray within myself. Honestly, I didn't want to see Rodrick at all. Having Jacob here makes me feel secure and that's about what I need right now.

     As we reach the secretary I remove a small paper with my entrance number and then I go back to Jacob. We both sit in two chairs next to each other and we start chatting a little bit until I am called in. I'm not quite sure how long it was but I know it was rather long. I get outside and see Jacob still sitting in his chair but now, all the chairs around him were filled with members of the opposite sex. Heck, he was almost covered in them. "Would he drown?"I questioned myself. He didn't look bothered but, at the same time, he wasn't paying any attention to them, no matter how much they talked. The moment his eyes connect on mine he gets up and comes to my side.

     - How did it go? – he asks me looking at the several papers on my hand.

     - It went fine. I'm out of this place now. – I say as a sigh of relief comes out.

     - Good job. – Jacob smiles as he pets my head softly.

     I was looking towards him so I didn't see that a body had appeared in front of me and, consequently I bumped into it. I would have fallen on the floor if Jacob hadn't placed his hand on my waist at that precise moment. Once I open my eyes I see Rodrick, standing in front of me, extremely close, with his vengeance craving eyes. I feel a shiver running up and down my spine but I couldn't let that define me. I wasn't going to be scared of someone like him.

     - So that's how you got over it. You found a replacement. –he says as he checked Jacob up and down with his eyes.

     - That's none of your concern Rodrick. – I say while my shoulders bump into him as me and Jacob pass by.

     - Oh baby, I'm afraid that is. You see... - he grabs my wrist harshly, carving his nails into them with severe strength making my whole body turn around and, once I noticed it, his face was almost glued to mine, again. His eyes were looking at me with such anger and despair that even Hell would look friendlier. – You didn't do what we agreed on.

     - That's enough. – says Jacob with a sadistic smile as he places his hand on top of Rodrick's. I couldn't feel it but I saw him apply enough strength to make Rodrick's hand let go of my wrist almost instantly. Once I was free he grabs my hand, gently interlacing his fingers with mine. – Let's go June.

     - He won't always be there to protect you June and when that moment arrives, I'll be sure to collect the debt you own. – Rodrick says as he laughs. Me and Jacob were already walking towards the underground park but I still managed to hear it loud and clear.

     We reach the car and he lets go of my hand as we both open the doors. My hand was now growing colder as I looked at it. Without me noticing my heart was beating rather fast. What is this feeling?

     - Are you ok June? – questions me, Jacob, interrupting me from my daydream.

     - Yes, I'm fine. – I say with a couple of cracks in my voice.

     Then Jacob restarts the car engine and we head off to my house. Around twenty minutes later we arrive and the sun was starting to set. The weather was starting to be colder but that is only normal.

     - Alright, I'll be right back. – I say as I remove my seatbelt and open the car door. As I was about to leave I feel a hand grabbing me on my wrist with a bit of strength, preventing me from going.

     - Let me go with you. – Jacob asks while looking into my eyes. His expression was unrecognizable. He looked a mixture of worried and angry. Part of me wanted to ask him why but I felt that I would be intruding too much.

     - You can't, my dad might flip if he sees you. – I say as I sit back down. I start scratching my scalp as I thought of a way to allow his request.

     - Please. – he insists.

     - Fine I guess. Just be careful. I really don't know how he might react. – I say as we both leave the car.

     We knock on the door and, a couple of seconds later my mom opens it. She gives me a warm hug as a couple of tears fall out of her eyes. "I was so worried sweetie" She said to me softly. "I'm sorry" I replied.

     - You must be Jacob! – my mom says as she slowly unwraps me from her embrace. Her eyes start sparkling a lot as her expression starts to change into a shocked one. – Oh my... You're so similar to my son.

     - Or so I've been told, ma'am. – He says with a kind smile on his face. – I'm sorry for your loss.

     - It's quite alright, it has been years. – my mom replies with his kindness and invites us in as she starts eating up water in an old teapot. I start looking around to see that my dad was nowhere to be found.

     - Where's dad?

     - He went out but he should be back soon. – my mom answers.

     Suddenly we all look to the front door as we hear some keys being placed in the lock. "It's him" I thought to myself as my heart raced out of my chest. I was insecure, I was nervous and I was anxious. My mind didn't know what to think as the light started to enter through the door. My dad's figure was there, standing still as he looked at us. A loud bang was heard when he dropped his beers on the floor from the shock.

     - William? – he asks with several voice cracks.